Centralian Trilling Frog

Neobatrachus sudellae Lamb 1911

Species Info Card | Updated 1 decade ago

A moderate-sized robust-bodied Neobatrachus with short limbs. Breeding males have small black spines on the back. They are generally dull bronze, gold or yellow, with irregular dark brown blotches. Males 41–49 mm S-V.

Breeding Biology

Nothing much known. Tadpoles in the eastern states are up to 69 mm with a wide body and shallow fins. They take about 40 days to complete development.

Habitat

Unknown. Occurs over a vast area, likely typical arid zone habitat (sand, claypans).

Etymology

Named after the author's half-sister, Jane Sudell, who collected the type series in Warwick, Queensland.

General

This species was formerly known as N. centralis, then N. sudelli and now N. sudellae. It was originally described from a site near Lake Eyre, South Australia and was, until recently, considered to be common and widespread in Western Australia. Now that it is no longer confused with other Neobatrachus species in Western Australia, its distribution appears to be far less extensive. This species has a tetraploid chromosome number (i.e. the typical chromosome count is doubled).

Arid zone. In Western Australia known only from near Mount Magnet with confidence where calling males were karyotyped. Their ill-defined range extends east through the southern arid zone, getting as far east as Canberra.

A short high-pitched trill, distinguishable from the Wheatbelt Frog (N. kunapalari) by lower pulse number and higher frequency.